Fine nanofibers of polymer can be collected into a microporous membrane by the method of electrospinning. A solution of high molecular weight polymer can be electrospun by inductively charging it to approximately 10,000 volts. Fine jets of charged fiber emit from the solution surface and collect onto a grounded or oppositely charged substrate, such as a cloth-covered electrode. The electrospun layer can be deposited directly onto fabric, and possesses the consistency of typical microporous membranes. Pore sizes are small enough to filter submicron particles. Average fiber size is on the order of 100-500nm. These nanofibers impart high surface area characteristics to the membrane, enabling the immobilization of absorptive and reactive materials within the fibrous structure. Since the spinning solutions may contain liquid or solid additives in addition to the fiber forming component, it is possible to design multifunctional materials that serve as protective fibrous layers in a textile system. Significant improvements in protective characteristics have been achieved with the addition of reactive enzymes to electrospun nanofiber membranes. An enzyme that breaks down highly toxic organophosphorous compounds such as certain pesticides and nerve agents has been covalently attached to cotton surfaced nonwovens and to electrospun cellulose acetate. The success of this cotton functionalization is reported herein.